A special nanoparticle that ‘tricks’ the immune system into stopping attacks on myelin has been developed by a research group at the Interdepartmental Immunobiology Centre in Northwestern University, Chicago. In an article published in Nature Biotechnology (Nov.2012) researchers describe how this special nanoparticle delivers an antigen in animals that has halted a condition in mice similar to Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
The Beauty of Innovation
Stephen Miller, Professor of Microbiology-Immunology and Director at the centre, has been leading research into the mechanisms of T-cells and how they affect the auto-immune responses in animals. “The beauty of this new technology is it can be used in many immune-related diseases. We simply change the antigen that's delivered”, he stated. The nanoparticles were attached to myelin antigens and injected into the subject, causing the immune system to stop attacking the myelin sheath. It is atomically specific and this method does not suppress the immune system in the way some current therapies for MS do.
The particles are made from biodegradable materials developed by Lonnie Shea, Ph.D., professor of chemical and biological engineering at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. “This is a major breakthrough in nanotechnology, showing you can use it to regulate the immune system," said Dr. Shea, a corresponding author on the study.
Precision Particles
Professor Miller, also involved with the Myelin Repair Foundation, is hopeful that this is only the beginning for research on how nanotechnology can be used in the treatment of auto-immune and other human conditions.
“The holy grail is to develop a therapy that is specific to the pathological immune response, in this case the body attacking myelin,” he said.
People in the MS community await further good news when this technology can be safely used on humans.
For further information: Myelin Repair Foundation; NorthWestern University